"Yes?"
Instead of responding, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a thin, round object, then he was down on one knee in the grass before her. Her heart stopped. Her mouth went dry.
"I know you said our difference in age doesn't matter," he began with endearing awkwardness. "And I know you're still a little worried about marriage, but if I promise I'll never stop you from doing anything your heart tells you to do, but stand by you when you need me … will you please marry me, Katherine Anne Fortune?"
She looked down at her finger as he slipped on the ring. She expected to see the flash of a diamond, even though a plain, unadorned band of gold would have been enough. She frowned at the ring, then at him.
"It's grass."
"No jewelry store in the glade." He looked sheepish, embarrassed, then worried. "I made it myself. I know you have strong feelings about a lot of things, and long ago I decided that when I asked you to marry me, I'd wait to let you choose your ring. This is to hold that place on your finger for me."
She touched the simple braid of reeds he'd fashioned for her and was deeply, profoundly touched. "I'm not sure anything else would be as wonderful as this," she said.
"If you can't say yes to me now—if you need more time to think … I know you said you loved me, but if…"
The man who had cut billion-dollar deals was a nervous wreck. She'd be sadistic to make him wait for an answer.
"I'm going to keep on asking, Katherine, until you're ready. I'll wait as long as you need—"
She quieted him with a kiss. "I love you. I want to be with you. I want to be your wife."
"You do?"
"I do … now, about the wedding."
"We'll keep it small," he said quickly, guessing she'd want it that way.
"With two families like the Fortunes and the Danforths? No way. Big church wedding. Enormous cake."
"Delicate white tiers," he said.
"Chocolate!" she countered.
"A string quartet."
"Full orchestra." She grinned.
"Whatever!" He stood up, sweeping her into his arms and spinning around and around with joy until she was dizzy and begged him to stop. "You said you wanted children. How about two?"
"No fewer than four, I think." She laughed at his look of happy surprise. "Did I tell you twins run in my family?"
"I wouldn't be surprised at anything you tell me, Katherine dear. I have a feeling, you'll keep me guessing for a very long time."
Oh, she thought, this is going to be good. Very good indeed.
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The Boss Man's Fortune Page 15
